The Latest: FBI says officer’s death a ‘potential assault’

November 21, 2017

Map locates Van Horn, Texas.; 1c x 3 inches; 46.5 mm x 76 mm;

DALLAS (AP) — The Latest on the death of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent in Texas (all times local):

3:30 p.m.

FBI officials say they are investigating the death of a border patrol agent and injuring of another in West Texas as a “potential assault,” but they wouldn’t rule out that they were injured in some other way.

Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie Jr. said during a news conference at the FBI’s El Paso office Tuesday that the bureau is offering a reward of $25,000 for information that might lead to a resolution of the case.

The officials wouldn’t say why they believe the agents might have been attacked.

Agent Rogelio Martinez died Sunday after suffering extensive injuries to his head and body. His partner, whose name hasn’t been released, was seriously injured.

A U.S. official with knowledge of the investigation told the Associated Press on Monday that investigators believe Martinez may have fallen into a culvert near Van Horn. The official said Martinez’s partner, who radioed for help, has no memory of what happened.

-Associated Press writer Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report.

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11:45 a.m.

The mother of a U.S. Border Patrol agent who died from injuries sustained while on patrol in West Texas says her family still doesn’t know the details surrounding his death.

Elvia Martinez told The Associated Press on Tuesday that her son, 36-year-old Rogelio Martinez, was very accomplished and loved his job.

He died after being injured while on duty near Van Horn, which is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the Mexico border and 110 miles (177 kilometers) southeast of El Paso.

A U.S. official, who was briefed on the investigation but is not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Monday that investigators believe Martinez may have fallen into a culvert near Van Horn.

The official says Martinez’s partner also suffered traumatic head injuries and can’t remember what happened.

Authorities still haven’t explained what happened to them. The FBI has scheduled a news conference for 2 p.m. Tuesday.

-Associated Press writer Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report. The spelling of Elvia Martinez’s first name has been corrected. It had been misspelled Elvira.

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8 a.m.

The father of a U.S. Border Patrol agent who died while on patrol in remote West Texas says his son suffered serious injuries that left his head “destroyed.”

Authorities haven’t explained what happened to Martinez and his partner late Saturday.

A U.S. official, who was briefed on the investigation but is not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Monday that investigators believe Martinez may have fallen into a culvert near Van Horn.

The official says Martinez’s partner also suffered traumatic head injuries and can’t remember what happened.

Jose Martinez says he told his son that his job was too dangerous, but Rogelio Martinez enjoyed his work and wanted to defend the U.S. from terrorists and drugs traffickers.

-Associated Press writer Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report.

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12:30 a.m.

A U.S. official with knowledge of the investigation into the death of a border patrol agent in South Texas says the surviving agent who radioed for help doesn’t remember what happened.

The official, who was briefed on the investigation but is not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Monday that investigators believe agent Rogelio Martinez may have fallen into a 14-foot culvert. Martinez died early Sunday.